New England loves Oakland castoffs and Sands, 30, has always been long on potential. He'll play defensive tackle in the Pats' 4-3 sets, and could see some action as a five-technique end in 3-4 looks if he picks up the system. Mon, Sep 28, 2009 05:37:00 PM

This transaction took place on Saturday, but we're trying to tie up loose ends. Sands busted after Al Davis handed him a $17M deal in the 2007 offseason. 30 in October, the oft-lazy lineman received no interest as of Sunday. Sun, Sep 6, 2009 10:36:00 PM

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New England loves Oakland castoffs and Sands, 30, has always been long on potential. He'll play defensive tackle in the Pats' 4-3 sets, and could see some action as a five-technique end in 3-4 looks if he picks up the system.

This transaction took place on Saturday, but we're trying to tie up loose ends. Sands busted after Al Davis handed him a $17M deal in the 2007 offseason. 30 in October, the oft-lazy lineman received no interest as of Sunday.

Profootballtalk passes along a report that the Raiders are shopping DT Terdell Sands.

There were whispers two months ago that Sands was candidate for release during training camp, so this is no surprise. The issue is now pressing with a $1 million roster bonus due July 3, which the Raiders are loathe to pay.

Sands, who is in the news because he's dissing ex-coach Lane Kiffin, has been a disappointment since re-signing with Oakland in 2007. Tom Cable is a fan of Ryan Boschetti, but it still seems unlikely they would cut Sands when their run defense is so thin.

The Giants reportedly contacted the Raiders about the availability of DT Terdell Sands recently, but were turned down.

Sands is playing well and Oakland isn't in position to move him with Gerard Warren and Derrick Burgess both playing with torn upper-body muscles. If the Giants want to get bigger inside, they should ask Detroit about Shaun Cody.

Raiders re-signed defensive tackle Terdell Sands to a four-year, $17 million contract. The deal includes a $4 million signing bonus.

The deal includes base salaries of $800,000 (2007), $1.2 million (2008), $1.3 million (2009), and $4.6 million (2010). We had Sands pegged as a sleeper for a team in free agency, but the 6-7/335-pound behemoth will probably get a great chance to push Tommy Kelly to start in 2007.

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U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman ordered Tom Brady and Roger Goodell to appear in court for two conferences on Aug. 12 and 19.

Berman requested the two sides "engage in comprehensive, good-faith settlement discussions prior to the conference on August 12." Though the judge did not mention the NFL's and NFLPA's joint request to have the case resolved by Sept. 4, the immediacy of the conferences suggests a resolution could be handed down quickly. Hopefully this ridiculous episode will come to an end before the season begins.

Blount was placed on the active/NFI list to start training camp after failing his conditioning test. His appearance in practice on Saturday suggests he passed the second time around. Blount should dominate the Patriots' early-down work once he returns from suspension in Week 2.

It's possible this is only a day-to-day injury after LaFell donned a protective boot on his foot during OTA season. He shed the boot in July, so it's quite conceivable the Patriots are just easing LaFell in. The fact that LaFell is a prominent fantasy player makes his situation worth monitoring.